Up The Creek - Tony James

[telford_mike]

I bought this in a little bookshop in Salcombe on a wet afternoon last week.

I was expecting a modern take on the classic "Art of Coarse Cruising" by Michael Green, but not so, there's a lot more substance to this. OK, some of the humour is pretty predictable, but the autobiographical approach gives this happy tome a little more gravitas.

James is his own greatest critic; his sailing career (and life in general) lurches from one crisis to the next. You will laugh out loud, and if you like old wooden/working boats, I'm sure you'll find much that is familiar.

As a newcomer to this yottie lark I'm always impressed by these folk who seem to regard boat ownership as one of life's absolute essentials (for example, it ranks well above a home in Tony James's priorities!). It's a reasonably light read if you can keep up with the author's matrimonial interruptions, and I enjoyed it immensely.

 

[Saguday]

Yep, I've just finished reading it too - but two nights ago. An excellent and entertaining read, particularly as I live a stones throw away from where it all starts.

I learnt a lot from it, particularly the historical context and the tales of the characters who made the area what it was/is.

Highly recommended - must pop off to Watchet again soon...

 

[Saddletramp]

Excellent book, always remember the character who was plagued by 'merchants' - rip off merchants etc. Great stuff, really made me smile.

All at Sea (The free newspaper) were running extracts from his book, his book. Wonder what he is up to now.